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Starting May 5, 2015, entrants for the Diversity Visa Program can check the status of their applications on the website (http://www.dvlottery.state.gov). Entrants should retain confirmation receipts until September 30, 2016.

April 22, 2015: I am honored to be among the venerable clergy members, honorable government ministers, and esteemed academics from various faiths who are giving their wisdom, energy, and time to make this conference a success.

April 9, 2015: The United States extends its heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing away of the Chief Prelate of the Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Aggamahapanditha Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Rathanapala Thero. Sri Lankans and Americans who knew him respected the late Mahanayake’s ceaseless efforts to improve the lives of all Sri Lankans through his exemplary life and the teachings of the Buddha he expounded.

April 2, 2015: For 30 years, Sri Lanka endured such a conflict. You experienced here some of the evils that now bedevil other deeply troubled parts of the world – including terrorism, driven by a fanatical ideology, employing suicide bombing, hurting most of all the people it falsely claimed to defend.

March 14, 2015: The United States is concerned with the apparent lack of appropriate criminal procedures during the trial in Maldives against former President Mohamed Nasheed, who was found guilty yesterday and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Feburary 24, 2015: The former President of Maldives and its current Opposition Leader, Mohamed Nasheed, was arrested February 22, 2015 in Malé by the Maldives Police. At the time of his arrest, a large group of protestors in Malé clashed with the police, who responded with tear gas and pepper spray. Nasheed’s supporters have scheduled a major demonstration in Malé for Friday, February 27, and travelers are urged to avoid the area of the protests during this period.

February 4, 2015: It was a privilege to visit Colombo to witness for myself the sense of excitement and optimism that the Sri Lankan people have ushered in through the historic January 8 election. In my meetings with government, civil society, private sector, and political parties, I heard a consistent message of hope about translating this promise into a brighter reality for all Sri Lankans.

More News from Washington

April 27, 2015: Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 2 for his first trip to the country and the first visit by a Secretary of State since 2005. In Colombo, he will meet government leaders, civil society members, and other representatives from the country’s diverse communities to hear and express U.S. support for their vision for a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for its people. Secretary Kerry will also join his hosts for the celebration of the Buddhist holiday of Vesak.

February 12, 2015: SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. It’s my great pleasure to welcome Foreign Minister Samaraweera from Sri Lanka. And this is an exciting moment for all of us here because Sri Lanka on January 8th had an historic election in which there has been really a vote for change, a vote to move Sri Lanka in a new direction, to open up greater accountability and possibility for the preservation of human rights, for democracy, for fighting corruption and putting together a government that will speak for and to the people.

February 5, 2015: We all know democracy is a work in progress. You have to look no further than America’s own journey to see that fact. We marched for civil rights and risked life and limb so all peoples could finally enjoy the right to vote. We still struggle with questions of race and economic opportunity. And we continue to work towards a more inclusive democracy to this very day.